A-Z of Printing Terms

A

.AI, PDF, .ESP – these are all formats in which an artwork or image is saved to a high quality standard ready for our graphic design team to setup for printing

Adhesives – the substance which is used to make labels adhere to a product

Artwork – this is a digital file of the label design (needed in a high-resolution format) used to print the final design

B

B&W - This means black and white, strictly speaking, although can also refer to greyscale

Bleed – this is a small extended edging created around the artwork (usually around 2-3mm) used to ensure no white edging shows when the label is cut

C

Caliper – another term used to describe the weight/thickness of paper

CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black) are the four ink colours used in this printing process to achieve a vast range of colours when mixed together

Coated - Coated paper has a coating (typically clay) which smooths the surface, is then sealed to allow inks to sit on top of the paper for a crisp print

Core – the size of the tube which the labels are wrapped around (often needed for machinery which will apply the labels to the packaging)

Cutter – this is used to create your label size and shape which is custom made for your design

D

Debossing - Stamping a design onto the surface of the label so that there’s an indent (the thicker the paper, the deeper the indent)

Die-Cutting – this is when the label is trimmed to its unique shape and size using a bladed cutter

Digital – a modern method of printing using computer technology to create pristine printing without the need for printing plates

E

Embellishment – a luxurious element which comes in a variety of hot foil, screen print or embossing

Embossing – Raises part of a design to create a 3D effect to the label (opposite in debossing)

Estimate - the price stated for a label printing job (also called 'quotation')

F

Finishing - The finishing touches of a label (e.g: adding the varnish or laminate)

Flexographic – a traditional method of printing using a rubber stamp technique to transfer the design with printing plates

Foiling - a metallic material which is heated onto a label design to create a shiny design which comes in a range of metallic colours from silver or gold to blue and purple

Font - The font refers to the style of letters used on the label

FSC – materials which are FSC certified mean they are sourced from responsibly managed forests

G

Gloss - a shiny finish used to complete a label through varnishing or laminating

Graphics - visual images or designs to inform, illustrate or design

Graphic Design - a visual artwork generated through creative fonts, images and colours to produce the finished design of a label

GSM – a term used to describe the weight/thickness of paper with standard paper being 80-100gsm

H

Header - at the top of the page, the margin

Highlights - a bright or reflective area on the label design

Hue - a specific and modern colour or shade used (such as yellow or blue)

I

Inks - is the solution used to add colour when printing a label design

Inkjet - a method of computer printing to recreate a digital image

L

Lamination – uses a plastic-based film which is adhered to the surface of the label for added protection. This comes in a variety of in finishes including gloss, soft touch or matt

Landscape - the orientation of a label or piece of paper where the width is longer than the height (opposite to portrait)

Leading Edge - the edge of a label which comes off the label roll first

Lead Time – the time in which a job can be printed and sent out (usually 5-10 working days)

M

Margin - the space around the edge of the printed label design

Matt - a flat (non glossy) finish or coating to the label

Metallic Material - a paper or PP (polypropylene) coated with a shiny silver film to resemble metal, giving a reflective foiled finish

Monochrome – an image used using only white and black inks

Multi-colour - printing more than one colour

O

Overprint - to print one image on top of another already printed image

Over run - additional labels printed beyond the amount specified in the order

Opacity - Characteristic of the material preventing inks showing from one side to another or preventing the material showing through the inks

P

Pantone – a colour reference used by graphic designers which uses a unique (pantone) code to colour match specific colours and maintain consistency

PE – PE stands for Polyethylene which is a material used for labelling made from plastic and perfect for squeezy bottles

Permanent adhesives – a strong substance used to ensure the label cannot be removed (easily) from the packaging

Plates – printing plates are metal sheets which carry the ink from the printing press to the material being printed

Portrait - the orientation of a label or piece of paper where the height is longer than the width (opposite with landscape)

PP – this is a type of material used from Polypropylene and is one of our most popular materials for labels

Pre-press - the work carried out prior to printing including mixing colours and ordering plates

Press/Printing Press – this is the machinery used to print the labels in large volumes

Print Bleed - the print which goes beyond the edge of the label design and where the label is trimmed (i.e. the bleed is the area which will be trimmed off)

Process Colour - the colours used for 4 colour printing - cyan, magenta, yellow, black

Proof – a final image to check the layout, colours and text before sending to print, to ensure there are no errors and avoid expensive mistakes

Q

Quotation - price offered to produce a label printing job

R

Recycled - a material which has been made entirely from old/used materials

Removable adhesives – ensures a label can be cleanly removed from the packaging (often required for easier recycling)

Resolution - this is a measure of the ‘density’ of information held within a digital graphic or photograph file which ensures a high-quality print finish

S

Screen Print - a method of printing used whereby fine mesh is used to transfer part of the image onto the label using a thick varnish which is quickly dried to create a tactile, ultra-glossy finish

Sheeted - numerous labels which are printed on a sheet of paper (e.g. A4 size) which can be peeled off rather than individual labels

Soft Touch - a velvety smooth, matt laminate used to add a luxurious feel to a label

Specifications - the precise description of a material to show the paper weight, adhesive strength, usability, longevity etc.

Spot (colour or varnish) - one ink or varnish applied to part of the label to make it stand out

Stock - what we have available onsite (in stock) to show availability of use from materials to inks or

Substrate - the material used for printing the labels onto whether that be paper, polyethylene, recycled polypropylene etc. This is what we call the substrate

Sustainable – another term for eco-friendly using materials which are less harmful to our environment

T

Template - A standard layout of a design showing it's dimensions.

Textured Varnish - a super rough varnish used to create a sandpaper finish to a label

Trim - The size of the printed material in its finished stage (e.g., 150mm x 80mm)

Typography - Everything related to the text on the label from font and colour to layout

U

Uncoated - A more porous paper for inks which does not have the thin, clay-based compound that’s found on the surface of ‘coated’ papers

V

Variable data – digital printing allows for a different code, number or text to transfer onto each individual label

Varnishing – comes in gloss, matt or textured formats to apply a finishing layer to the label

Virgin paper - paper which is made from the pulp of trees rather than recycled paper 

W

WeTransfer – an online tool used to send large image files to an email (used for sending label artworks to an email address)

Z

Zipfile - Zipped computer files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. Ideal for sending many label designs at once.